by Saler
It always seemed to be that way lately: They would start off on some perfectly ordinary-sounding mission, then Garrison would get wind of another Jerry air base, a big gun, a radar installation, or some other vital target, and off they would go. Even Chiefy was beginning to slip in the occasional complaint - not like him at all - but it seemed that the Warden was deaf to all their grievances, determined that they would win the war all on their own.
And this last effort, well, it took the cake for the worst yet. He could see this one haunting his dreams for some time to come!
It had started off simply enough: "Just pop over to France and check out all that German activity near Bordeaux," General Reynolds had said to Garrison. "We'd very much like to know what they're up to."
So, they had been put ashore from a submarine off the Gironde estuary and taken aboard a river barge to travel as far as the outskirts of Bordeaux. The river trip was deceptively relaxing and they had begun to think that maybe this mission would not be too bad, but, as usual, their luck did not hold. As they floated past Blaye, they were hailed by a German patrol boat and had to submit to being searched from stem to stern. The guys tried to make themselves inconspicuous by joining the regular crew as they made the patrol boat fast to the gunwale of the barge, hoping that they would not be questioned but ready to defend themselves if the need arose..
Luckily, it turned out to be no more than a routine check, and they were soon under way again - but the time for relaxing was past and they were all on the alert.
When the barge docked they helped with the unloading, then walked into town with the crew. In a smoky bar they met up with Jacques, their contact, who was to take them as close to the German installation as he dared.
Goniff had been most disappointed that they had only been allowed one small glass of wine in the bar - and that only to reinforce their cover - before they left with Jacques and a small band of his men. He spent a large portion of the afternoon's trek complaining to anyone who was willing to listen, and several who weren't.
Their journey took them through countryside patchworked with vineyards and Jacques explained to them that this was where the best red wine was made - Bordeaux, or claret. Goniff's eyes had lit up at the thought of all that 'plonk', as he insisted on calling it, but, to his great regret, he was given no chance to test the products of the region.
~~8~~
Lying in the long grass on a hill overlooking the German compound late that afternoon, the lieutenant trained his binoculars on the scene below. At first glance it looked like an ammo dump, but when he looked closely at the crates stacked high in the centre of the area he could see that it was something much more sinister: These looked more like rocket components! Had they stumbled onto a testing site for those unmanned rocket planes the Germans were rumoured to be experimenting with? If he was right, it was vital to find out as much as they could, and get the details to HQ as soon as possible, so that the Brass could decide on a suitable course of action. Without consciously realising it, Garrison's brain began devising a plan that would get him close enough to confirm his suspicions. His eyes lit up as he considered the prospect of exposing one of Germany's most secret experimental sites.
With this in mind, he sent Chief to scout out an observation point closer to the installation and, while he was waiting, sketched a rough drawing of the layout on the back of his map. A slight rustling in the bushes heralded Chief's return, but only because he allowed it - he wasn't keen to risk getting shot by an overeager partisan.
"There's a wooded area overlooking the compound a little way east of here," the Indian reported, pointing to a small clump of trees halfway down the slope. "This way." He disappeared into the undergrowth again the way he had come - this time with Garrison, Jacques and the rest behind him.
From their new vantagepoint they had an unobstructed view of the comings and goings below. Garrison became even more convinced that what they were observing was a test site for a new German rocket. Still not satisfied with what he could see from the trees, he decided to take Chief and risk a look inside the compound. "If there's any trouble, get out of here. It's important that you make sure HQ gets the information we already have," he charged Actor. "You have the responsibility for delivering it to them if I don't get back."
"Don't talk like that, Warden," the conman replied. "We'll be here for you if there is any trouble."
"No!" Garrison was adamant. "Your responsibility is to get yourself and the others back to England with what we already know. That's what important. We can look after ourselves if there's any trouble."
"But, Warden, we can't just leave you."
"You may have to. This information has to get to England, and if I don't make it there's no one else I can trust to do it," Garrison insisted. "Our contact will be waiting at the safehouse outside Royan three days from now. He'll take you to the rendezvous with the sub. If we're not there by 1800 hours..." He left the sentence unfinished.
"Three days from now?" The conman gave in with something approaching good grace, pocketing the map - but in his heart he knew he would never abandon his colleagues, even if it meant delivering the information to the captain of the submarine and returning for the others.
He watched as Garrison turned back to Chief and, after a hurried, whispered conversation, they slipped silently away toward the boundary fence. Then, along with his companions, he followed their progress as they darted from cover to cover down the slope, unconsciously holding his breath every time the guards in the compound seemed to be looking in their direction.
They lost sight of the pair as they neared the installation, and the next time they came into view they were inside the fence - running for the shelter of one of the buildings that edged the compound. From that point there was nothing to do but wait. Actor took first watch, advising the others to be ready to move quickly if the need arose. Half an hour dragged by, then Jacques took over the watch. One hour - Casino's turn. The safecracker's watch was almost up when an almighty commotion erupted inside the compound.
An explosion. Men in uniform running in all directions like ants from a disturbed nest. Gunshots. More explosions. Then silence.
The next minute, men and vehicles erupted from the main gate - falling into a convoy of trucks, cars and motorcycles that streamed down the narrow road. From their concealment, the men on the outside watched as the convoy split into three at the crossroads, still travelling at top speed. Jacques nudged Actor and pointed down the slope towards the main gate, where foot soldiers now spilled from the compound and spread out around the perimeter. They began to search the surrounding countryside, aided by the searchlights in the watchtowers. In the towers, men with machine guns scanned the area with powerful binoculars, ready to fire on anything that moved within their range.
Actor knew that if they hoped to get away they would have to leave immediately. There was no chance to help their companions now, nor would there be later if they did not make good their escape. One last time he scoured the compound through the glasses the Lieutenant had left him, but could see no sign of Garrison or Chief in all the confusion. He couldn't help but fear the worst.
Casino snatched the glasses from him to check for himself.
"What's goin' on?" Goniff asked frantically.
"I can't tell, exactly, but it does not look good for the Warden and Chief," Actor replied. "And it doesn't look particularly good for us either. We'd better move out."
"We can't go and leave them in there!" Casino and Goniff agreed for once.
"We have to," Actor replied as he picked up his things. "Someone has to get this information to England, or they won't know about this installation." He turned away, then turned back again. "The Warden made me promise," he explained. "As soon as we deliver it, we'll come back - you don't think I'd just abandon them?" Even in the dim light they could see his pained expression before he turned and began to climb toward the top of the rise.
Behind them, the compound was a mass of activity - men in uniform running in every direction, officers shouting orders, searchlights quartering the ground both inside and outside the fence. When they turned to look from the top of the hill, they could see the detachment of troops moving steadily upwards towards the place where they had been secreted only a short time ago.
"We'd better get out of here before they see us, or we won't have a hope. If we get separated, head for the coast - the safehouse in Royan in three day's time, okay?" Actor instructed the others.
"It's okay for you - you speak the lingo. How're we supposed to manage?" Casino growled.
"Well, you'd better take care that we don't get separated then, hadn't you?" came the answer.
Casino bit back his reply, contenting himself with making an obscene gesture at the retreating back.
In the trees halfway down the other side of the hill, Jacques was waiting. There was no sign of his men. He explained that he had sent them away - no need for them to be put in jeopardy, too.
As the three Gorillas conferred, somewhat contentiously, about which way they should travel, Jacques suggested that they head north, turning west toward Royan the next day. He gave them the name of his cousin who owned a vineyard in a small town to the north, saying that Pierre would be sure to help them if they mentioned Jacques' name. Then he bade them farewell, and disappeared into the gathering twilight.
The men took his advice and began to follow the road to the north - keeping to the trees that grew along the roadside, ready to dive into deeper cover should the need arise. They managed to catch a few hours sleep in a barn that night, taking turns to stand watch, and the next morning they were lucky enough to purchase some breakfast from a farmer a few kilometres further down the road, sitting under his haystack in the morning sun to enjoy their repast.
Reluctantly, they finished their meal and continued northwards towards the town of St Quentin du Pierre, the home of Jacques' cousin. Several times it was necessary to take cover as trucks rumbled by, and one time they lay silently in the bottom of a muddy ditch, their hearts almost afraid to beat, as a platoon of foot soldiers marched up the road, seemingly only inches away.
As the soldiers passed around the next bend in the road, the three men gingerly climbed out from their hiding place, Casino and Goniff both grousing about their wet and muddy state. Surprisingly, Actor had, by some quirk of fate, managed to miss the puddle in the bottom of the ditch, while Casino and Goniff were not only wet and muddy, but decidedly smelly too.
"Ooh, Mate," Goniff commented - making a show of holding his nose. "You sure do pong!"
"You're not exactly a bed of roses yourself, Limey!" the safecracker retorted.
"What on Earth did you two find in that ditch?" Actor commented, turning his head away and holding his breath.
"I dunno, but I reckon something musta died in there," the Englishman commented. "A long time ago!"
"Yeah, well, what are we gonna do about it?" Casino asked - throwing his jacket as far as he could. "We can't walk around smelling like this - the Krauts won't need to look for us, they'll be able to sniff us out."
"I saw a farmhouse a little way back," Actor remembered. "I'll see if I can borrow some clothes for you. Wait here and stay out of sight." With that, he set off back the way they had come, leaving the others hidden in a thicket of trees. In reality he was glad to put some distance between himself and his malodorous companions, so that he could breathe properly again!
Goniff stared after the retreating figure. "'Ow d'ya reckon 'e does that?"
"Does what?"
"Y'know - manages to come up smellin' sweet every time," his partner clarified.
"Ah, who knows?" the American groused. "I just hope he hurries back. I want to get outta these stinkin' clothes."
Goniff could only agree as they sat miserably among the trees, waiting for their comrade to return.
After what seemed like an interminable wait, the tall Italian returned with a bundle under his arm. "This was all I could find," he apologised, dropping the bundle in front of his companions.
"No worries, mate." Goniff reached for the clothing. "Anything would be better than..."
His words were drowned out by Casino's explosive cursing: "What the Hell are these?"
"I told you," Actor answered him calmly. "They were all I could get, and I was lucky to get them!"
~~8~~
When they emerged from the trees a short time later, the two were attired in long black dresses, headscarves and shawls. A casual bystander would take them for a couple of French peasant women, unless that bystander happened to be close enough to hear Casino's decidedly unfeminine language. (Although in other places it might be jokingly referred to as 'French', it was most definitely not the local patois.)
Eventually, he ran out of objections and the motley trio continued its journey north; Actor having to slow his usual long stride for the benefit of the other two, who were having trouble managing their unaccustomed skirts. They had argued long and loud about not wanting to wear the headscarves, but Actor was insistent. If anyone came upon them unexpectedly, before they had chance to replace their scarves, their cover would be blown and that could mean the end of more than just the mission. They were just going to have to put up with it for the time being, until they could find replacement clothes. The pair had grumbled, but could see the point of the argument.
It was early afternoon when the tall man and his two companions stood on a hill overlooking a small town. There seemed to be plenty of activity in the town square - as though some gala occasion was planned. Stalls were being set up and there was an air of gaiety, despite the presence of German troops in the streets.
"Ooh, I bet they've got food down there," Goniff said wishfully. "Me stomach thinks me throat's cut. I don't know 'ow you guys manage to go all day on nothin' but air."
"But you had breakfast, just the same as the rest of us, didn't you?" Actor queried.
"Yeah, and I seem to remember you gettin' your fair share of that, too," Casino confirmed.
'But that was ages ago," the Limey said wonderingly. "I'm ravenous now."
Actor and Casino looked at each other in amazement. How could the man eat so much and remain so skinny? By rights he should be bigger than any of them - he certainly put enough food away for three men when he got the opportunity.
Ignoring the looks, Goniff gathered up his skirts and settled himself on a log by the roadside where he unlaced his boots and shook out a stream of grit. "Ooh, that feels better," he announced to the world at large, with a sigh of relief. "Felt like I 'ad 'alf the road in there."
Casino sat down beside him and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting two and passing one to Goniff, who accepted it with thanks. Actor ignored the snub. Lighting one of his own cigarettes, he found a position where he could look out over the valley and used the time to go back over the events of the mission in his mind. At length, the conman turned to his colleagues: "We need to be moving along," he said. "It's getting late, and we have to find Jacques' cousin and some accommodation."
Casino and Goniff looked at each other, then looked at Actor. "We can't go into town!" they said in unison.
"Of course you can," the Italian replied cheerfully. "If you want to eat, you are going to have to."
"No way! Not dressed like this!" they both insisted, tugging at their recently acquired costumes.
"But you look fine. Really."
"Don't get cute, Actor!" Casino threatened, jumping to his feet, his hands clenching into fists.
Actor was saved from having to defend himself by the arrival of a young Frenchman on a horse-drawn wagon.
"Monsieur, is there a problem?" the young man enquired.
"No, no problem, merci," Actor replied smoothly in French. "It has just been a long walk."
"Then, may I offer you a lift? There is plenty of room, if the ladies do not mind riding in the back of the wagon. You are going to the festival?"
"Festival?" Actor queried.
"Oui, we celebrate the grape harvest. A good year, in spite of everything," the young man explained. "It may not be a large as before the war, but we refuse to let those Boche pigs stop our Annual Wine Festival."
With no little difficulty, Actor helped the two 'ladies' up onto the back of the wagon, where they made themselves comfortable amongst the wine barrels and boxes. He then climbed up next to the driver, who introduced himself as Gerard Maupin, owner of a small but well-thought-of vineyard a few kilometres from town.
"Armand Martin," the conman introduced himself as the horse again set off at a slow walk. "The ladies are Marie, my brother's widow, and her cousin Josette. I am escorting them to Royan where they have relatives," Actor lied easily.
Goniff and Casino huddled down in their shawls, keeping their features hidden from view as much as possible and wishing that they understood what was being said.
As Gerard urged the horse on, he chatted in a friendly manner with Actor, telling him how he hoped to win a prize at the Festival with his red wine - "the best in the district". He pulled a bottle from behind the seat, and Goniff's eyes grew wide at the sight of it - but a nudge in the ribs from 'Marie' reminded him that he was supposed to be 'Josette', and to act accordingly. He pulled a face at the safecracker, under cover of his shawl, but resumed his cover identity with a sigh as he slumped down against the side of the wagon.
If Actor noticed the reaction, he did not show it, continuing his discussion on the merits of the region's wines with their driver. He asked Gerard if he knew the man whose name he had been given as a contact by Jacques, and was surprised by the violent reaction it provoked.
"d'Aubigne?" he exploded. "Why do you want to have anything to do with that family?"
Actor was a little taken aback at the man's reaction. He explained that d'Aubigne's cousin had asked that they look him up when they passed through the town - other than that, they knew nothing about him. This placated the Frenchman a little, but it was obvious that he did not like the man. Actor did not pursue the subject, and turned the conversation to more innocuous topics for the rest of the journey.
When they reached the town, the wagon stopped in front of the town's one hotel. Actor thanked Gerard, but the man brushed the thanks aside. "It was nothing. Anyone would have done the same," he insisted. "I will see you at the festival later?"
"It is quite possible," Actor replied, as the ladies gathered their meagre belongings together. "I should like to sample the wine."
"Then, please, take this with my compliments," Gerard offered, holding out the bottle to his new acquaintance. In the back of the wagon, 'Josette' nodded in agreement as Actor accepted the wine, until 'her cousin' caught her eye with a warning glare.
Actor accepted the gift with a word of thanks. "Au revoir, Monsieur Maupin," he added as he climbed down from the wagon. "A bient�t."
All around them, the town bustled with life. Stalls were being set up in the square and vendors were already doing a brisk trade in drinks and hot food, as well as local handicrafts, and, of course, wine. Goniff's eyes lit up at the thought of food..
German soldiers stood around with rifles slung over their shoulders, keeping an eye on the proceedings. So far, they were not interfering, but it was obvious that they would not hesitate to step in should things not go to their liking.
On the opposite side of the square, in front of the town hall, a dais was being prepared for the official opening ceremony, which was to take place early the next day. A team of workmen was busy hanging tricolour draperies from the framework - directed by a young woman with a very efficient air about her. Their driver called out to her and received a distracted wave in return. He climbed down from the wagon and called out again as he began to walk in her direction. She reluctantly left her position and walked over to meet him halfway, where she stood, arms akimbo, obviously displeased at the interruption.
"Looks like Whatsisname is 'avin woman trouble," Goniff observed.
"That must be Cecile," Actor guessed. "They wish to get engaged, but her family wants her to marry someone else. Gerard was telling me," he added by way of explanation.
"She looks like a bit of a handful," Casino opined. "I wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of her!"
"Yeah, she reminds me of the Warden," his colleague agreed.
"Come on, we'd better get settled in and then I'll try to find our contact," Actor reminded them. "Gerard did not seem very fond of him when I mentioned his name - I wonder why? Unless..." he added almost to himself.
He helped the 'ladies' down from the wagon, both of them having trouble managing their long skirts and shawls, and trying not to show too much leg in the process. Casino muttered unceasingly under his breath, but, mindful of the circumstances, he kept the volume down.
They made their way into the hotel, where Actor signed them in at the reception desk and ordered dinner to be served in their rooms. The 'ladies' hovered shyly in the background, their shawls wrapped tightly around themselves and their heads low - trying to avoid the attention of the German major sitting in the lounge reading his newspaper.
After what seemed like an eternity, they followed their companion up the stairs to the two connecting rooms he had rented on the top floor. Actor explained to them that, under the circumstances, it would not look right for them all to share one room. "And we were extremely lucky to get any accommodation at all. Usually, when the Wine Festival is in progress there is not a spare bed to be had, but, with the war, people have stopped travelling as they used to, so most of those attending will be local," he explained.
"So, Actor, how do you propose to pay for these palatial accommodations?" Casino wanted to know as soon as they were safely ensconced within the larger of the two rooms.
"I dare say we will come up with something, eh, Goniff?" Actor raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Probably arrange somethin', mate," the Limey replied with an air of unconcern, untying his headscarf and throwing it, with his shawl, onto the chair. He took a flying leap onto the bed, where he bounced to test the springs.
Casino, likewise, divested himself of his wraps, following them with his voluminous black dress and kicking them all in an untidy heap. Standing in his undershorts he asked the world in general: "How do women manage with all this stuff?"
Actor flicked a quick glance toward the window, then moved to pull the curtains across. "Casino, you really must be more careful. Supposing someone sees you?"
"We're on the top floor - who's gonna be lookin'? We got the only second-storey man in town right here."
With the air of explaining things to a backward 3-year old, Actor pointed out that there were other buildings in the area with windows on the same level.
"'E just likes to flash 'is gorgeous legs!" Goniff chortled.
"It is not a laughing matter," Actor admonished them. "All it needs is for one person to suspect that we are not as we appear and we could end up in a German prison - IF the Germans stop to ask questions, that is."
"So, how long are we gonna have to get around dressed as dames, then?" Casino wanted to know, not altogether politely.
"Until we get out of town tomorrow," was the answer he did not want to hear.
"But why? Surely we can get some more clothes now?" the safecracker persisted.
"Because you can't suddenly appear as men," Actor explained with exaggerated patience. "You arrived in town as women, you must leave as women. Unless you want to risk attracting the wrong kind of attention? And don't forget that you must have a close shave before you appear in public," he added, ignoring the glare from Casino.
"Well, we'll just 'ang out 'ere, then," Goniff decided, stretching out on the big bed.
"Goniff, I should point out that that is MY bed!" the Italian informed him. "You 'ladies' have the room next door. The one with the two beds."
"You mean I have to share that little room with 'im?" the pickpocket snorted disgustedly. "'E snores!"
Casino gave him a look that would strip paint - but, before he could vocalise his thoughts, there was a knock at the door.
"Moment, s'il vous plait!" Actor called, as the other two grabbed their clothes and hustled into the adjoining room. As the connecting door closed, he opened the main door to the room, to see Gerard Maupin standing on the threshold. He opened the door wide, and invited him inside.
"I wanted to invite you all to the Festival tonight as my guests," the Frenchman explained. "Cecile will be busy with the last minute arrangements, so I will have plenty of time to show you around."
"Well, I would be happy to accept your invitation, but I think the ladies might be a little tired," Actor replied.
"That is unfortunate," the Frenchman replied, "but may I at least ask them?"
"Un moment - I will ask them to step in," Actor said, moving to the connecting door. "Marie, Josette," he called as he rapped on the door, "Monsieur Maupin est arriv�. Il nous a invit�s au festival."
As the door opened, he ducked inside to give the others a quick translation, before they gave themselves away. "I told him that you ladies were tired from your journey, but he insists on asking you himself," he whispered.
"But we can't talk the lingo - 'ow will we answer 'im?" Goniff worried.
"Just watch me - I will signal you when to say 'oui' or 'non', as appropriate, all right?"
"'Wee' or 'nun'," Goniff tried.
"Perhaps it might be better if you just nod or shake your head," the conman decided with a fatalistic shrug. "Just follow my lead"
He re-entered the first room with the 'ladies' on his heels, Casino once again fully clothed, their heads swathed in their scarves and their shawls pulled tight about their shoulders.
"Monsieur Maupin, the ladies say to thank you for your kind offer, but they really are too tired to go out tonight. Is this not so, ladies?" he said smoothly. Two heads nodded in agreement. "They intend to take their meal in their room and retire early."
"I understand," Maupin said, accepting their excuses, "but I insist on being your guide tomorrow."
"I am sure that will be most satisfactory," Actor replied, ignoring the eyes he could feel boring into the back of his head. "However, if you would be willing, I will come with you. I would like to see the town and, if you would be so kind as to point out Monsieur d'Aubigne, I will take the opportunity to pass on the message from his cousin."
The Frenchman did not seem very happy with the second part of the request, but he acquiesced with a reasonably good grace. "At this time, he should be in the caf�. Come, I will introduce you."
He turned on his heel and led the way from the room. Actor delayed long enough to warn the other two inhabitants of the room to 'stay put!'. Then he followed Gerard, closing and locking the door behind him, and pocketing the key.
As his footsteps faded down the hall, Goniff and Casino looked at each other. "What's he wanna lock us in for?" Goniff complained.
"He doesn't think that will keep us in if we want out, does he?" Casino asked no one in particular. "I can open that door with my eyes shut - bet you could too."
The Limey nodded his agreement. "But you're not thinkin' of goin' out in this gear are you?" he said, holding his skirts wide and twirling round. "If you are, you can count me out!"
"Nah, not really," Casino allowed. "It just riles me when he carries on like that."
"Aw, mate, don't let 'im get to you. 'E's just stayin' in character, you know 'ow 'e is. Come on and beat me at poker again," Goniff placated as he pulled his battered deck of cards from under his shawl. "That always cheers you up."
~~8~~
A short time later, as Actor and Gerard sat in the Caf� Michel sipping on glasses of the local wine, the conman deftly manoeuvred the conversation around to the subject of Pierre d'Aubigne. Gerard was a willing contributor to the exchange.
It seemed that Gerard's father and Pierre d'Aubigne had been neighbours and friendly rivals for years - their families had owned adjoining vineyards as long as anybody could remember - but between Gerard Maupin and Pierre's second son, Jean-Louis, the rivalry was less than amicable. From the time they had both attended the village school, the older boy had taken great delight in bullying the Gerard. Now it seemed that he was using every wile he possessed to win the lovely Cecile Delage - not because he loved her, but because Gerard did.
The problem here was that her parents preferred Jean-Louis as a suitor for their daughter, seeing only his father's wealth and power in the area, even though as the second son he would not inherit the family vineyard. Gerard Maupin, on the other hand, was an orphan who scraped a precarious living from the small estate he had inherited from his father.
Despite this, Gerard remained convinced that he was the one Cecile truly loved and that she would not give in to the blandishments of her parents on that score, even though both families were united in their efforts to get the two married off. However, so far she had refused make a definite commitment.
Whilst Gerard had been talking, Actor noticed a good-looking man enter the caf�. He was one of those people who commanded attention wherever they were, and Actor could not help his eyes following the man as he joined two others at a table in the rear of the room.
Gerard followed his gaze: "That is the man you seek - Pierre d'Aubigne," he told his companion. "Would you like me to introduce you?"
"No, I think it might be better if I introduce myself this time," he said as he covertly watched the object of his interest. He gave the man time to order a glass of wine, and let the initial conversation die down before he approached.
"Monsieur d'Aubigne?"
The man in question looked up and acknowledged that he was d'Aubigne, giving the newcomer a penetrating look.
"My name is Armand Martin. Pardon my intrusion, but your cousin Jacques asked that I convey his greetings, as I was travelling this way."
D'Aubigne's eyes narrowed slightly as he weighed up the stranger - then he stood and excused himself from his companions and signalled Actor to follow him to a vacant table in the far corner of the caf�. He sat and indicated that the other man should do the same. Actor took a seat facing him, with his back to the wall.
"Now, M'sieu, what is it that you want?" the Frenchman enquired. "Jacques does not waste my time with empty greetings."
Actor gave him a brief outline of the happenings and the Frenchman nodded his understanding. "And what, exactly, is it that I can do for you?" he asked.
The Italian explained about the need for clothes for Casino and Goniff, and asked about the possibility of arranging transport to Royan.
"The clothes, they are not a problem," Pierre replied, "but the transport may take a little time to arrange. I will contact you at the hotel when I have some news for you."
"As long as we reach Royan before 6pm two days from now," Actor advised.
"That should not be difficult. Even on a horse and cart it can be done in less than one day," his contact confirmed. "Meanwhile, may I suggest that you enjoy the hospitality of our town and the wine festival?"
"I will take pleasure in doing just that, m'sieu," Actor smiled, "but I think the others may need a little more convincing, under the circumstances."
He thanked the Frenchman and rejoined Gerard Maupin at the other table.
~~8~~
The next morning, German troops were out in force for the official opening of the wine festival but, despite this, 'Armand', 'Josette' and 'Marie' felt relatively safe in the throngs that crowded the square. Actor had convinced the others that it would seem unnatural if they did not attend the celebrations, at least for a short while, and they had been obliged to see the logic of his argument. As they allowed themselves to be carried along with the mass of humanity, Casino was still muttering under his breath, but everyone was in a gala mood and far too busy to be interested in the three strangers. Goniff's eyes were irresistibly drawn to the section of the Town Square where the local vineyards had set up their decorated stalls. Wine flowed freely as they vied with each other for trade, but even he realised the foolhardiness of drinking in the current situation, quite apart from the fact that it would be out of character for 'Josette'.
Suddenly, the happy mood was upset, as a group of German soldiers roughly shouldered their way through, clearing a path for an arrogant-looking major. As people tried to get out of the way, the crowd surged against Josette who stumbled into the officer. She bobbed her head in apology, her eyes cast down, before turning and hurrying away. As she disappeared into the crowd, her tall companion meekly apologised to the soldier before following in her wake.